SANTA FE, N.M. — The director and the deputy director of FEMA’s Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office are on leave after 4 Investigates exposed they both received six-figure payouts.
KOB 4 obtained an email confirming Director Jay Mitchell and Deputy Director Jennifer Carbajal are on administrative leave.
“FEMA has placed the Program Manager and Deputy Program Manager on administrative leave. This step does not reflect a finding of wrongdoing,” the email stated.
This comes after a 4 Investigates report revealed they received six-figure payouts – while others, who lost everything in the wildfire, are still waiting for compensation almost four years later.
Documents showed Mitchell’s family was paid more than $524,000 for smoke and ash, as well as business interruptions. Mitchell received more than $266,000 for smoke and ash cleanup at his Angel Fire home. His wife received more than $258,000 for losses claimed by her Angel Fire real estate business.
Documents also showed Carbajal was paid more than $146,000 on a claim that mirrored what Mitchell filed. Carbajal filed the claim through her business, MAIA Consulting. The claim listed her as the sole employee – and ceased activity months after the fire.
Mitchell and Carbajal faced protests and calls for resignation after 4 Investigates’ report. It comes after New Mexico’s congressional delegation called for more transparency in how the office has spent billions of dollars that Congress allocated to them.
New Mexico’s U.S. senators – Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich – issued a statement in conjunction with New Mexico U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:
“The FEMA announcement, following calls for action from the New Mexico delegation, is a step in the right direction to rebuild trust and provide relief for impacted families. There are still outstanding questions regarding the Claims Office status and operations, and we will continue pressing for accountability and stable, trusted leadership.
FEMA and the Claims Office must work urgently to help New Mexicans recover by prioritizing total loss and burn scar claims, ensuring clear and timely communication, and delivering transparency.”
Ryan Laughlin will have more tonight at 5 on KOB 4.
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date: 2026-02-13 01:20:00